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 July 2025
The work of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB) continues to be rooted in the connection between employers and job seekers, policy and practice, strategy and inclusiveness. This month’s newsletter highlights the powerful partnerships and innovations shaping Ramsey County’s workforce landscape. From the success of the 2025 Midway Area Job Fair to the tools and programs available to local businesses, we’re seeing meaningful progress in building a more inclusive and responsive workforce system.
This month’s newsletter also marks a moment of transition, as we thank outgoing WIB Chair Elisa Rasmussen for her remarkable leadership. Read on for highlights, opportunities, and insights shaping the future of workforce development in Ramsey County.
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Ramsey County is working with employers, workforce providers, and educators to better align services, programs, and partnerships that support young people, ages 14-24, as they prepare for and enter the workforce.
If you are an employer, workforce provider, or educational partner, take this survey by Thursday, July 31, to share how your organization engages youth, what’s working well, what could be improved, and where there are opportunities to strengthen collaboration. Survey responses will help shape a public-facing youth workforce ecosystem map. To ensure your organization is represented on the map, please complete the survey. Only one person in your organization should take the survey.
Your input will help guide recommendations and strategies to strengthen our local youth workforce ecosystem. Bellwether Consulting is leading this project and will be the recipient of the survey data.
Thank you for helping us ensure our local youth are supported in their journey toward meaningful employment.
Take the survey.
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 More than 700 job seekers made their way to Allianz Field on June 18 for the 2025 Midway Area Job Fair—the largest annual hiring event hosted by the WIB and Workforce Solutions. With over 40 employers and community resource providers participating, the event buzzed with energy and opportunity as attendees explored, applied for, and even interviewed for open positions across a range of industries.
New this year was a Tech Skills Resource Corner, created to help job seekers navigate digital barriers to employment. The space offered support with completing online applications, accessing low-cost connectivity programs, and addressing other essential tech needs.
Also new this year was the Ramsey County Mental Health Outreach Van, providing on-site support for those navigating the stresses of job transitions or other life challenges. Its presence reflected the county’s commitment to mental wellness and recognition that employment success is deeply connected to overall well-being.
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The 2025 Midway Area Job Fair once again demonstrated the strength of local partnerships in connecting residents with meaningful employment and helping businesses meet their workforce needs.
Pictured (l to r): Workforce Solutions Director/WIB Executive Director Catrice O'Neal, Ramsey County Commissioner Kelly Miller and WIB Manager Becky Milbrandt.
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Inclusive Employer Toolkit: Building a hiring process that welcomes all
Workforce Solutions and the WIB are leading efforts to support employers to create a sense of welcoming for all employees within their organizations. One of these efforts is to provide an Inclusive Employer Toolkit. The toolkit aims to help employers provide a more welcoming environment for all by offering practices to build inclusion in the areas of employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding and retention.
The Hiring section of the toolkit focuses on building inclusive hiring processes that attract diverse talent and remove barriers to employment. It provides strategies on crafting inclusive job descriptions, expanding recruitment efforts to reach underrepresented communities, and implementing fair screening and interviewing practices. By adopting these approaches, employers can create an environment that welcome candidates from all backgrounds, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone to contribute and thrive in the workplace.
View the toolkit.
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 We’re thrilled to launch the 2025 Inclusive Workplaces Cohort, a 9-month peer learning journey designed to help Ramsey County employers build more inclusive and supportive workplaces. Each month, we’ll spotlight one of the participating organizations that’s leaning into this important work. This month's spotlight is The Lumin Group, an leadership and team development organization making meaningful strides toward inclusion. Follow along on social media and in future WIB newsletters to see how these employers are leading by example.
Job Connect is Ramsey County’s job board created in collaboration with local chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and municipalities. It is free for employers and job seekers to use and includes several unique features, such as the ability to search for youth friendly jobs and by transit accessibility, keyword and location using an interactive map. Consider posting your organization’s job openings and sharing with individuals looking for jobs in Ramsey County.
Visit the Job Connect webpage to learn more!
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This month let's take a closer look at population numbers in the Metro Area. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, the Seven-County Metro Area had a total population of 3,156,517 people in 2023. As such, the Metro Area accounts for over half (55.2%) of Minnesota's total population of 5,713,716 people.
Hennepin County, with a population of 1,268,903 people, is the Metro Area and the state's most populated county. Alone, just over two-fifths of the region's population call Hennepin County home. In addition, nearly one-fifth, or 544,438 people, call Ramsey County home. Together, well over half (57.4%) of the Metro Area's total population reside within Hennepin and Ramsey counties (Table 1).
Continue reading the article by Tim O'Neill, DEED Regional Analyst.
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 Elisa Rasmussen
Sr. Manager, Community Relations, Xcel Energy
WIB Chair, 2023-2025
As Elisa Rasmussen concludes her term as Chair of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County, we extend our sincere gratitude for her outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication. During her tenure, Elisa played a vital role in advancing the board’s mission to connect Ramsey County residents with meaningful career pathways and opportunities.
Reflecting on her experience, Elisa shared: "Serving as Chair of the WIB has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. Over the past two years, we’ve strengthened our efforts to connect Ramsey County residents with the resources they need to take meaningful steps in their careers. We've continued to champion youth employment, recognize outstanding local workforce leaders, and celebrate the achievements of multiple Inclusive Workplace Cohorts. I’ve also had the privilege of engaging directly with job seekers at Career Connect Day and the Midway Area Job Fairs. As my term as Chair comes to a close, I remain deeply grateful for the dedicated individuals who serve our community with unwavering passion and commitment to supporting others on their career journeys."
Thank you, Elisa, for your tireless service and lasting contributions to the work of the WIB and the broader Ramsey County community.
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Employer of the Day
Tuesdays, 3–5 p.m., at the Roseville Library
Looking for a new job? Every Tuesday, employers will visit the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood to talk about job opportunities in their organization. Bring your resumé and your best first impression to get hired.
Featured employers:
If your business is interested in being an Employer of the Day, please contact employerservices@ramseycounty.us.
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Inside Health Care Hiring: Conversations with HR Leaders
July 8, 2-3 p.m., virtual
Workforce development professionals are invited to join this virtual event. Learn what they look for in candidates—from resumes and qualifications to interview techniques. Attendees will be able to ask questions, learn employer preferences, and gain practical knowledge to better support job seekers in the health care field.
By the end of the day on July 7, you can submit specific questions for the panel via this online form. And don’t worry—participants will still have the chance to ask their own questions during the event!
Join the meeting
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 Introduction to AI for Employers: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters
July 9, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Artificial intelligence isn’t just the future—it’s already transforming how we work.
This foundational session is designed to demystify AI and explore how it’s reshaping business operations, workforce strategies and labor market trends. You’ll learn what AI really is, how it’s being used across industries and what current job data tells us about emerging skills and talent needs. Join us to gain the confidence to begin internal conversations about AI in your organization.
Featured speakers include:
- Mike Kutzke, Ridgewater College – Explaining AI in plain terms.
- Cameron Macht, DEED – Labor market trends and data.
- Lane Powell, Harmony Enterprises – Early-stage AI in manufacturing.
- Steve Gasser, Vivid Image – AI in marketing and digital services.
To register.
MN Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator Workshops
July 22, 8 a.m.-noon, CareerForce in North Minneapolis
Aug. 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at MME Group in Vadnais Heights
The Twin Cities Metro Workforce Development Boards are establishing a new partnership with Goodwill Easter-Seals, the Saint Paul Area Chamber, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and Twin Cities SHRM for the MN Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator program. Employers can participate in a half-day in-person workshop to receive in-depth learning on:
- Rebuilding an employer's hiring process with a skills and competency-based approach by focusing on candidates’ capabilities rather than credentials.
- Improving retention by rebuilding job descriptions, interview processes, onboarding and more.
- Increasing diversity among your workforce using data-driven tools that lead to more equitable hiring processes.
- Providing networking with talent-sourcing organizations.
Following participation in a workshop, employers have access to monthly Community of Practice calls where they can dive into questions about the skills-based hiring process and receive optional one-on-one coaching from facilitators.
Visit mnskillsbased to sign up and learn more!
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 Re-Entry Career Fair
July 23, 9 a.m.-noon
2420 Long Lake Road, Roseville
Presented by the Minnesota Department of Connections Employ Program and MINNCOR Industries, the Annual Fair Chance Reentry Job Fair is specifically for justice-impacted job seekers to connect with fair chance hiring employers.
Learn more.
 CareerForce Corner Library Event
July 30, 3-5 p.m.
Roseville Library
Learn about programs and services available to assist you in your job search! Staff from Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, plus Ramsey County Library staff, will be there to assist residents with no cost job search resources.
Learn more about this event and other CareerForce Corner events taking place across the metro area at Careerforce.mn.gov.
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As online education, technological innovation, and remote work reshape how we live and work, geography still plays a pivotal role in accessing career opportunities. The WIB and Workforce Solutions continue to assess shifting demographics, migration, and commuting behaviors to personalize and strengthen workforce development strategies. In February, the WIB hosted a webinar exploring five top workforce trends in Ramsey County with Erin Olson, Senior Director of Strategic Research at RealTime Talent.
Understanding who is moving in and out of Ramsey County - and why - can help local government, non-profit agencies and businesses better tap into and retain local talent. As of February 2025, Ramsey County is experiencing a net negative migration pattern, meaning more people – 6,421 more in a 5-year survey – leave the county than relocate. Those leaving the county most frequently relocate to Washington and Anoka counties while those moving in from across the metro area journey from Hennepin, Washington, and Anoka counties. According to U.S. Census American Community Survey estimates from 2017-2021, Ramsey County had a net gain of 241 residents from Hennepin County, a 55 resident net gain from Blue Earth County, and a 40 resident net gain from DeKalb County, Georgia.
Continue to the full article.
As Ramsey County’s workforce evolves, understanding key trends is crucial for fostering a thriving and resilient economy. Throughout 2025, these articles will explore the critical workforce trends shaping our communities. The trends were presented by Erin Olson, Senior Director of Strategic Research at RealTime Talent at the Top Trends to Watch in 2025 in Ramsey County’s Workforce Landscape webinar in February.
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